The Internet's Role in Sanctions Enforcement: Russia, Ukraine, & The Future
PCH executive director Bill Woodcock explores the role of global Internet routing and governance (ICANN, RIPE, BGP) in international sanctions enforcement during wartime.
Summary
Wartime Petitions for Internet Isolation
Following the invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian officials petitioned ICANN and RIPE NCC to revoke top-level domains (.ru) and block Russian IP prefix allocations.
Evaluating the Governance Architecture of the Global Internet
Bill Woodcock analyzes why internet governance bodies resisted disconnecting sovereign states, emphasizing the fundamental neutrality of root DNS and Regional Internet Registries (RIRs).
Technical Sanctions vs. BGP and Peering Realities
Woodcock breaks down how internet exchange points (IXPs), transit providers, and tier-1 carriers handle international sanctions without fragmenting global routing.
The Future of the Open, Global Internet in Geopolitical Conflicts
The presentation warns against the weaponization of core routing infrastructure and advocates for preserving universal digital communication.
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